Greek-Albanian relations and ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’

Fredi Beleri, who was elected MEP with Greece's ruling conservatives, attends the opening plenary of the newly elected European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on July 16. [AP]

Certainly influenced by the message of fair play, noble competition and the unique honor of participation that the Olympic Games convey, I am reminded of the famous - now largely forgotten - three-word Olympic motto introduced by Baron Pierre de Coubertin upon the creation of the International Olympic Committee: "Citius, Altius, Fortius." It is conventionally translated as "Faster, Higher, Stronger." Taking some distance from the events in Paris, I wonder if and how this motto, loosely adapted, could be tried as our policy towards Albania.

A fundamental principle in foreign policy is to set the bar at the appropriate height. The desired height must be achievable, so you place it at the height you can jump over. However, in our relations with Albania over the years, we have become accustomed to passing under the bar.

We passed below the bar when some officials were...

Continue reading on: